Paolo Fossati

In China, 74,675 infections were detected; the total death toll is 2,121. 21% of patients are in critical condition. The number of suspected infections is 4,922. But 16,168 people have recovered from the disease. Outside China, 26 countries report a total of 1,050 contagion episodes and seven deaths.

For the Religious Affairs Ministry, the building permit is the issue. The parish has all the papers needed to tear down the old building and put up a new one. Islamic radicals have filed a lawsuit against the government agency that issued the permits. The parish has agreed to wait for a ruling on the matter.

The subject will be taught daily in kindergarten, elementary and high schools. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the law unanimously. For the president of the Commission on Youth of the Bishops’ Conference, “real progress can only be achieved by forming the human person first and foremost”.

But Beijing reports the lowest number of new infections in the current month. Outside Hubei, only 56 new cases have been reported, falling for the 15th consecutive day. Russia announces the closure of its borders to Chinese citizens. The spike in South Korea due to a "super greaser".

The testimony of a PIME missionary in Hong Kong. "My thoughts go to empty churches, here in Hong Kong, Macau and in many cities in mainland China." "Working from home, schools and universities closed until March: all this increases the pressure and sometimes makes some people react in unreasonable ways".

In just 14% of infections, serious conditions such as pneumonia develop. The latest data from the Chinese authorities speak of 72,528 infections and 1,870 total deaths. The number of new deaths in China has decreased for the third consecutive day; the infections outside Hubei decreased for the 14th consecutive day. Beijing publishes largest research to date on Covid-19.

Laos will host the meeting next Thursday. Thailand has confirmed 35 cases; Japan; 518; and Singapore, 75. The Covid-19 outbreak will negative impact the city-state’s GDP. The local Catholic Church has suspended all public services indefinitely. Analysts are waiting to see whether China's ties with its neighbours will be affected by restrictions on travel and exchanges.

It would have been Naruhito's first since his ascent to the throne. The last time the authorities canceled the ceremony was in 1996, in the days of the hostage crisis at the Japanese embassy in Lima.

Aloma Sarumaha takes over the leadership of the Directorate General for the leadership of the Catholic community. Before him, the ministry for religious affairs had chosen two officials of Islamic faith because of an error of interpretation of the legislation.

Four bishops, a priest and a man religious were acquitted from the same charges a few days ago. Fr Alejo and fr Villanueva posted a 10,000-pesos (US$200) cast bond but are expected to be arraigned on 17 March along with one of the president’s bitter rival.

The confirmed cases of infection are 63,932, the victims 1,381. 6,728 people recovered from hospitals. There is still no agreed estimate of how many fell ill in Wuhan. For the WHO there have been no "dramatic increases" in coronavirus cases outside China. Vietnam isolates a village of 10,000 inhabitants.

Card. Tong announces special pastoral measures. The only religious activities that will not be suspended are weddings and funerals. Parishes and chapels will remain open. The changes will also affect Lent and Easter.